Nelson Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Nelson: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Nelson month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 70° | 58° | 5,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 71° | 58° | 2,7 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 68° | 54° | 2,6 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 64° | 53° | 7,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 59° | 47° | 4,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 57° | 46° | 8,9 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | 55° | 44° | 6,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | 55° | 42° | 2,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 59° | 46° | 4,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| October | 62° | 49° | 6,6 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| November | 65° | 53° | 4,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 70° | 56° | 4,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Nelson
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Nelson compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Nelson.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tasman | 25 mi | 53°F | 36°F cooler | 55 in |
| Marlborough | 39 mi | 56°F | about the same | 33 in |
| Wellington Region | 77 mi | 57°F | about the same | 37 in |
| Wellington | 77 mi | 57°F | about the same | 37 in |
| Kaikoura | 81 mi | 55°F | 33°F cooler | 60 in |
Climate by city in Nelson
1 cities mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit Nelson
Go in January, February, March, November and December. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: June, July and October - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for Nelson
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 56°F is in line with the 55°F typical for this month.
A 100% chance means rain is expected over most of the area. Plan indoor alternatives. Around 0,4 in is forecast, which is enough to soak trails and slow traffic.
Gusts to 46 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Southern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in December to February.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 49°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- A packable rain shell - 3 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 46 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid June, July and October - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Nelson is a region in New Zealand. Nelson is a region of New Zealand. It has a population of about 55.000.
Right now it is 55°F (13°C) in Nelson with mainly clear. It feels like 46°F. Today runs from 48°F to 56°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 6.1/10 - fair - plan around the weather.
The best time to visit Nelson is January, February, March, November and December. The climate is temperate. June, July and October tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 71°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 42°F.
The closest major airport is Auckland Airport (AKL), about 305 mi away. Nearby highlights include Tongariro National Park, Lake Taupo, North Island and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 56°F is in line with the 55°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 12 PM to 3 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in Nelson today at 8.3/10. Gusts to 46 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about Nelson
| Type | Region |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 41°16′14.2″S 173°17′2.4″E (-41.2706, 173.284) |
| Population | 55.000 |
| Local time | 12:03 AM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | January, February, March, November and December |
| Climate | Temperate |
Weather map for Nelson
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore Nelson
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Nelson?
Nelson is a region in New Zealand. Its coordinates are -41.2706, 173.284. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Nelson right now?
It is currently 55°F (13°C) with mainly clear. Humidity is 59% and wind is 18 mph.
When is the best time to visit Nelson?
January, February, March, November and December offer the most comfortable conditions in Nelson, which has a temperate climate. June, July and October are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Nelson in?
Nelson observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 12:03 AM.
How many people live in Nelson?
Nelson has a population of approximately 55.000.
What is the nearest airport to Nelson?
The closest airports are Auckland Airport (AKL), 305 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Nelson?
Popular options include Tongariro National Park, Lake Taupo, North Island, Aoraki / Mount Cook and South Island.
What places are in Nelson?
Nelson covers 1 places in this atlas, including Nelson City.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (nz-regions) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 24, 2026 at 12:03 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
